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It was the first weekend in October and it is officially fall, I guess. Living in south Florida gives fall a whole new meaning. Let’s just say that this was the first weekend where the heat wasn’t scorching, the temps stayed in the mid 80’s and there was a great breeze. This meant that we could actually stay outside without sweating. It was amazing! I was outside every chance I could get. Here are a few pics from the weekend.

An after game pic with Nana and Papa. Look how long his legs are!

Taco lunch with my college girl.

Friday night lights.

After game huddle.

Everglades sunset at the football game. Sunset was beautiful, getting eaten alive by bugs was not so nice.

The hubs turned 41 on the 27th. In true Steve fashion, to celebrate, the decision was made to lay low, hang around the house with family and friends and cook his most favorite meals. I am a busy body, always wanting to be on the go but I have to admit that the chill birthday weekend he planned was perfect. I had the best time and went into the new week nice and relaxed. Here are some of the pics from our weekend.

Special homemade wings and some football watching.

Good convo with he in-laws.

LOVE this! A true belly laugh. This pic makes me smile every time I look at it.

CRABS! Cooked my famous seafood boil.

“Watching” football.

Selfie with my favorite lady.

Crochet experiment gone wrong.

The blood moon before the eclipse.

Friday night lights. Trey’s team won 32-20!

SHE CAME HOME TO VISIT! I miss her face so badly! (having grown kids is harder than I expected)

Our college girl was one of 100 chosen for the direct admit nursing program at her college. The college has a tradition of doing a white coat ceremony at the beginning of the nursing program to signify their commitment to nursing and an initiation into the program. We absolutely could not be any more proud of our girl and the future that lies ahead for her. Congrats, Dee! We love you!

Our tribe of four is now officially down to three. My daughter moved out of our house for the first time a couple of weeks ago to venture into her college career. The only way to describe this major life event is bittersweet. On the one hand, I am exceedingly excited for her as the opportunity ahead is an amazing one that she will, no doubt, run with and make great things happen. She was one of only 100 students accepted into the direct admit nursing program as a freshman. This makes me one happy and proud mama. On the other hand, I am sad and lost. After moving her into the dorm, the first steps back into our home with her bedroom empty was difficult to say the least. The emotions I experienced were far harder than I had mentally prepared myself for. Not only is this special girl my daughter, she is my best friend. There was an aching emptiness inside that I wasn’t quite prepared for. It has been two weeks and most days I’m ok. There are hard days where I find myself upset and in tears. I’ve been told by other mothers that have paved this path that it does get easier as time passes.

Overall, our college girl is doing great, adjusting to college life with classes underway. Life change can be difficult but usually those difficult ones are the most rewarding. Off to new adventures.

In two days we will be moving this sweet little girl into her dorm room. It is crazy how fast time has flown. I found myself in a recent conversation with someone who didn’t understand why I was “struggling” with my age and my daughter moving out. As I was explaining myself, the reality hit me straight in the face. Does that ever happen to you? (it seems to happen to me a lot) Anyway, it isn’t that I am necessarily upset about turning 40 (ok, sometimes maybe a little); it’s not so much about the number. It’s really all about how I got here. My husband and I got married, had babies, did college and got real jobs almost all simultaneously. Life moved fast. In the midst of all this activity, time flew. I found myself “waking up” at 39 thinking, “hang on. stop. what just happened?” It’s like someone snapped their fingers and I went from being 25 to peering over the edge into 40. It’s not so much about the number 40 or my daughter moving out as it is about simply not believing that I am here in this place at this time. It’s almost like I’ve watched a movie of my life and the last 15 years were summed up in 2 hours. It’s surreal I guess. I sit here with the realization of turning 40 and my baby girl moving out of my house for the first time to start her college life and think, “wow!” This is so surreal.

On the flip side, I am beyond excited for her and proud of her. I know she is going to do amazing things at college, make the best of friends and have the time of her life. So, of course, to celebrate and reminisce, I had to pull out a few old pics from when she was little. I’m so proud of you, Dee! You make me one proud mama!